Safari FAQ

The dry seasons (June–October and January–February) offer the best wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources. The Great Migration in Kenya's Masai Mara peaks July–October. However, the "green season" (March–May, November) has fewer crowds, lower prices, lush landscapes, and excellent birdwatching.

We recommend booking 6–12 months ahead, especially for peak season (July–October) and gorilla trekking permits, which sell out fast. Off-season safaris can often be arranged with 2–4 weeks notice. Booking early also gives you the widest choice of lodges and camps.

Absolutely! Every Samton Safari is 100% tailor-made. Tell us your interests (wildlife, photography, culture), budget, travel dates, and fitness level, and we'll craft a unique itinerary. We can combine multiple countries, add beach extensions, or include gorilla trekking.

We operate private safaris starting from just 1 person — solo travellers are very welcome. For group departures, we typically have 2–12 guests per vehicle. Private vehicles ensure you set your own pace during game drives.

Start by submitting a free enquiry through our Contact page or WhatsApp. We'll have a conversation about your dream trip, then send you a detailed itinerary and quote within 24–48 hours. Once you approve, a 30% deposit secures your booking, with the balance due 60 days before departure.

Yes. East Africa is one of the world's most popular safari destinations with well-established tourism infrastructure. Our guides are highly trained and certified, vehicles are equipped with safety gear and satellite communication, and we maintain constant contact with lodges and park authorities. We follow strict safety protocols on every game drive.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Uganda and Rwanda, and may be checked in Kenya and Tanzania. We strongly recommend Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, and anti-malaria prophylaxis. Consult your travel doctor 6–8 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Malaria risk exists in most safari areas below 1,800m altitude. We recommend: (1) anti-malaria medication prescribed by your doctor, (2) DEET-based insect repellent (30%+), (3) long sleeves and trousers at dusk/dawn, and (4) sleeping under mosquito nets (provided at all camps). Risk is lower in dry season.

Yes, comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all our safaris. Ensure your policy covers: emergency medical evacuation (essential for remote bush areas), trip cancellation, lost baggage, and adventure activities. We recommend policies with at least $100,000 medical coverage including air evacuation.

All reputable lodges and camps provide filtered or bottled drinking water. We carry bottled water on every game drive. Avoid tap water outside major hotels. Staying hydrated is crucial — the combination of altitude, heat, and dry air means you need more water than you think.

Most nationalities require a visa. E-visas are available online for all four countries. The East Africa Tourist Visa ($100) covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda on one visa — great for multi-country trips. Tanzania requires a separate visa. Apply online at least 2 weeks before travel.

Essential items include: neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, tan), layers for cold mornings (5–8°C), a warm fleece, rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes, camera with zoom lens, binoculars, sunscreen SPF 50+, insect repellent, and a soft-sided duffel bag (required for bush flights). See our complete Packing List guide.

Use a soft-sided duffel bag — hard-shell suitcases cannot fit in bush planes and are not allowed. Weight limits are strictly enforced: 15 kg for bush flights, 20–23 kg for road safaris. Most lodges offer same-day laundry, so you don't need to pack for every day.

International flights arrive into Nairobi (Kenya), Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Entebbe (Uganda), or Kigali (Rwanda). From there, you'll take either a scenic bush flight (30–90 minutes) or a road transfer (3–6 hours) to reach your safari lodge. We arrange all internal transfers for you.

Most mid-range and luxury lodges offer Wi-Fi, though it can be slow and intermittent in remote areas. Some camps deliberately limit connectivity to enhance the "bush experience." We recommend downloading offline maps and entertainment before your trip. Cell signal (3G/4G) is surprisingly good in many parks.

Safari costs vary widely based on accommodation level, season, and duration. Budget safaris start from $150–250/person/day, mid-range from $350–600/day, and luxury from $800–2,000+/day. These typically include accommodation, meals, game drives, park fees, and transfers. International flights are additional.

Our safari prices include: all accommodation and meals, unlimited game drives with a private guide, park and conservation fees, all internal transfers (road and flights), airport meet-and-greet, and 24/7 support. Not typically included: international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal shopping, tips, and optional activities like balloon safaris.

US Dollars are widely accepted and preferred. Bring small denominations ($1, $5, $10, $20) for tips — bills must be dated 2006 or later. Budget roughly $15–25/day for tips and $50–100 total for small purchases. Credit cards (Visa preferred) work at most lodges. ATMs are available in cities.

A 30% deposit secures your booking, with the balance due 60 days before departure. We accept bank transfer, credit card, and M-Pesa. Cancellation terms: 60+ days = full refund minus admin fee; 30–59 days = 50% refund; under 30 days = no refund. We strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance.

No hidden costs. We provide transparent, all-inclusive pricing. Optional extras include: hot air balloon safaris ($450–550), helicopter transfers, spa treatments at lodges, premium drinks packages, and conservation/community visit donations. All optional extras are clearly listed before you book.

East Africa is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) plus cheetah, giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodile, and hundreds of bird species. The Masai Mara and Serengeti are famous for big cat sightings and the Great Migration. Uganda and Rwanda offer mountain gorilla trekking — a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Absolutely! We specialise in family safaris with child-friendly lodges, flexible game drive schedules, shorter drives for younger children, bush walks, junior ranger programs, and cultural visits. Most lodges welcome children aged 5+; some luxury camps accept all ages. We recommend our Safari with Kids guide for families.

Wake at 5:30–6am for tea/coffee, then head out for the morning game drive (the best time for wildlife). Return for brunch at 10am. Relax by the pool or enjoy a bush walk during midday. Afternoon tea at 3:30pm, then an evening game drive until sunset. Return for dinner under the stars. Optional night drives at some camps.

We offer: luxury lodges (permanent structures with pools, spas), tented camps (canvas tents with en-suite bathrooms and real beds — surprisingly luxurious), mobile camps (follow the migration), mid-range lodges, and budget camping. Every property is personally vetted by our team. We match accommodation to your budget and style.

Yes! Safari-and-beach combos are our most popular packages. Fly from the Masai Mara or Serengeti to Zanzibar (Tanzania), Diani Beach or Lamu (Kenya), or the Seychelles. Most beach extensions are 3–5 days. It's the perfect way to relax after an action-packed safari.

Gorilla trekking permits must be booked well in advance — 3–6 months for Rwanda ($1,500/person) and 2–4 months for Uganda ($700/person). Permits are limited to 8 visitors per gorilla family per day. We handle the entire permit booking process for you. The trek involves 1–6 hours of hiking through dense forest at altitude.

Bring a camera with a 200–400mm zoom lens for wildlife and a wide-angle lens for landscapes. Pack extra memory cards (64GB+), spare batteries (cold mornings drain them faster), a dust-proof bag, and a bean bag for steady vehicle-window shots. Smartphones work surprisingly well for landscapes and selfies. Our guides know the best angles.

Many parks and conservancies offer guided walking safaris — an incredible way to experience the bush up close. Walking safaris are led by armed rangers and expert guides. Popular walking destinations include: Laikipia (Kenya), South Luangwa-style walks in conservancies, and gorilla trekking in Uganda/Rwanda.

Yes! Honeymoon safaris are one of our specialities. We arrange private sundowner cocktails, bush dinners under the stars, couples' spa treatments, hot air balloon rides, and romantic tented camp stays. We can also organise proposals, anniversaries, and milestone birthday celebrations in the African wilderness.

The Great Migration is the annual movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, 500,000 zebra, and 200,000 gazelle between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara. It follows a clockwise pattern: calving in Serengeti (Jan–Mar), moving north through the Serengeti (Apr–Jun), dramatic river crossings at the Mara River (Jul–Oct), then returning south (Nov–Dec).